In the early hours of Sunday morning, a shooting incident outside an Atlanta high school resulted in the death of a 16-year-old girl and the hospitalization of a 16-year-old boy.
Atlanta police received multiple reports of shots fired around 2:30 a.m. near Benjamin E. Mays High School. Upon arrival, officers discovered two victims: Bre’asia Powell, identified as the 16-year-old girl, who sadly succumbed to her injuries after being transported to the hospital, and a 16-year-old boy who survived the incident.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Bre’asia, describing her as a vibrant young individual. He revealed that she had secured a job through the city’s summer youth employment program, which was scheduled to commence on Tuesday.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear, as reported by Fox5Atlanta. However, authorities believe that teenagers from different parts of the city had gathered in the area for an unsanctioned party. Police suspect that the individuals responsible for the shooting were also of high school age, according to ABC News.
Davida Huntley, a close friend of Bre’asia’s family, shared heartfelt sentiments with Atlanta News First, describing her as a cherished daughter and a scholarly individual.
The incident has left the community devastated, especially given the timing, occurring just after the end of the school year. Mayor Dickens expressed his profound grief over the loss of a young life and emphasized the city’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.
Investigations into the shooting are ongoing as authorities work diligently to gather more information about the tragic incident and bring those responsible to justice.
Anyone with information on the shooting is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 404-546-577 (TIPS). A $10,000 reward is currently being offered for any information leading to an arrest, 11Alive reports.
